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| An entry port on the right-hand side leading to the yellow jack: the rink runs from lower left to upper right |
The chances for a successful
draw to the jack are improved when the port configuration of bowls is present.
A port is a funnel-shaped passage, ideally, that leads towards the jack at the
same angle as the normal angle of draw of your bowl. The funnel shape is marked
at two or more places by bowls so that if the delivery is either wide or narrow
but a touch heavy it will be deflected back and funneled in the direction of
the jack.
Ports are not visible from
the mat. They need to be identified by the team member directing the head. Because it is the bowler who knows the bias of his own bowls
best, the bowler often needs to be called to the head to confirm the wisdom of what is
being proposed.
That's an interesting point, Clarke. Something I'll be looking for in the future. All depends on whose bowls are where. If the front two were for the opposition there's a risk a narrow shot might knock one of their bowls in, in which case I'd be playing a yard-on shot from the left to try and take the jack around the back of my two back bowls. Regards, John
ReplyDeleteThis shows only the bowls involved in the motif. In an actual bowls head there may be other bowls blocking the alternate approach.
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